Penguins are fascinating creatures that can only be found in the Southern Hemisphere. Currently, there are approximately 17 species of penguins and more than half are now considered endangered. Many sightseeing tours offer sustainable tourism where the penguin colonies are carefully managed and their habitat unharmed by visitors. The best time for seeing penguins is from November through March, when the Southern Hemisphere is at its warmest. During the warmer months, penguins can be found spending more time on shore breeding, nesting and raising their chicks.
It is a myth that all penguins live in Antarctica. Several species of penguins live in more moderate climates closer to the equator. Here are the best places to see some of the most popular species of penguins around the world.
Falkland Islands
One of the most well-known places to see penguins in the wild is the Falkland Islands, located off the coast of Argentina. The Falkland Islands are home to several species of penguins including gentoo penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, king penguins, and Magellanic penguins. The smallest of the crested penguins, southern rockhopper penguins have seen their populations declining in the Falkland Islands in recent decades due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
Chilean Fjords & Tierra del Fuego
The picturesque Patagonia region is another popular destination for penguin watching. The Chilean fjords and Tierra del Fuego are home to hundreds of thousands of tiny Magellanic penguins, as well as a small but thriving colony of the large king penguins. The best way to navigate the narrow channels of Chile is by a small cruise ship, where you will get panoramic views of snow-capped volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and the majestic Andes mountains.
Antarctica & Sub-Antarctic Islands
Antarctica is arguably one of the best locations to see penguins in the wild. The White Continent and surrounding islands are where you will find the most diverse distribution of penguin species in the world. Out of 17 species of penguins worldwide, 7 species are considered Antarctic penguins, with 4 species that live and nest on the continent itself, and 3 that reside on sub-Antarctic islands. These are the 7 species of Antarctic penguins:
Chinstrap Penguin
The most numerous penguins in the world, there are estimated to be around 12 – 13 million chinstrap penguins that live on the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. The plentiful chinstrap penguin can often be spotted on icebergs on the open ocean.
Gentoo Penguin
Gentoo penguins are closely related to chinstrap penguins, and their vast geographical range brings many to the sub-Antarctic region.
Macaroni Penguin/Royal Penguin
Also known as royal penguins, macaroni penguins can be found on the Antarctic peninsula and the nearby islands. The largest breeding populations of macaroni penguins can be spotted on South Georgia Island, Heard Island, and the McDonald Islands.
King Penguin
You can spot large colonies of king penguins on the sub-Antarctic islands of Prince Edward, Kerguelen, Crozet, and Macquarie Island.
Emperor Penguin
The largest species of penguin, emperor penguins, can be seen around the continent of Antarctica. They have evolved unique characteristics to survive the extreme conditions and are the only animals that breed during the depths of the Antarctic winter.
Adélie Penguin
The Adélie penguin is the second most-southerly breeding species of penguin behind the emperor and can be spotted along the coast of Antarctica and on sub-Antarctic islands.
Southern Rockhopper Penguin
The southern rockhopper penguin has a large geographical range and can also be found on nearby islands including Heard Island, the McDonald Islands, and Macquarie Island.
